Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivers personal plea to Chelsea owner Todd Boehly

Pep Guardiola has been quick to the defence of under fire Chelsea manager Graham Potter following Manchester City’s 4-0 thrashing of the West London side in the Emirates FA Cup.

Manchester City beat Chelsea for the third time this season on Sunday, inflicting a fifth successive defeat on the troubled London club.

The Sky Blues, who won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Thursday, comprehensively beat Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday – knocking Graham Potter’s side out of a second domestic cup competition.

Pep Guardiola’s squad previously knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup in November, with City preparing to face Southampton in the quarter-finals of that competition on Wednesday.

Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden all scored during an entertaining first half at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, as City raced into a 3-0 lead.

Mahrez scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to make it 4-0, as City set up a fourth round tie against either Oxford United or current Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Chelsea have won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions, as pressure continues to mount on former Brighton boss Graham Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel in September.

Despite a series of signings, with additions already during the January transfer window, Chelsea find themselves sat in 10th place in the Premier League table, 10 points off of top four and 14 points behind Manchester City.

Amid growing fan discontent at Stamford Bridge, City manager Pep Guardiola urged Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to standby Graham Potter, who endured incredible success at the AMEX with Brighton.

“I’d say to Todd Boehly, it was a pleasure to meet him, but give him time,” said Guardiola.

“Give him time. The second part is about what he is. All managers need time and he’s right. At Barca, I didn’t need two seasons because I had Messi.”

Chelsea haven’t scored against Manchester City since beating the Blues in the UEFA Champions League Final.

Potter has previously beaten City, winning 3-2 with Brighton at the AMEX in May 2021.